Get free answers to your Estate Planning legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I am the administrator and an heir of my father's estate. The court has named me the administrator, and there is a will that specifically mentions the property. I have already gone through probate, and there are no other heirs with claims to the property. What is the process for having the... View More 
answered on Mar 27, 2025
If you are acting as administrator pursuant to an administration with will annexed, you will need to sign an administrator's deed to the party listed in the will as the beneficiary or beneficiaries of the real estate. If you are acting as administrator because the will is invalid or... View More
After my father passed away on July 7, 2024, everything was left to my stepmom, who now has dementia and is in hospice care. My brother claims ownership of assets like a truck and lawn equipment, but the will has not been made available for me to see. What actions should I take, considering probate... View More
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answered on Mar 23, 2025
You can move forward with probating the estate and requesting to be the personal representative. At such time, if someone has the Last Will and Testament, they can object. They would then need to produce the Last Will and Testament. From the form of the statements above, it seems you assume that... View More
I need advice regarding a will that dictates the inheritance of an estate. An uncle has borrowed money against the property and leased it out. The will is clear about who should inherit the estate, and I have copies of it. Discussions have taken place, but the uncle refuses to sign over the estate.... View More
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answered on Mar 9, 2025
Was the will filed for probate? If not it means nothing. If probated, the executor's duty is to marshal up assets and make sure the devise is executed in possession of the devisee. Executor and/or devisee can file for unlawful detainer and quiet title. Also Devisee can file an ejectment... View More
I have an irrevocable minor trust set up for my daughter that is held until she turns 18. The trust had some interest income the first year but none since, as it's now in an interest-free account. There have been no disbursements. Do I still need to file tax form 1041 every year?
answered on Mar 2, 2025
You will want to consult a tax professional to confirm specific trust filing rules. Generally, a Form 1041 (U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts) is required for a trust if it has gross income of $600 or more in a tax year or if it has any taxable income (even if under $600). Since... View More
I believe that representative trustees of a bank-held trust fund have breached their fiduciary duties over the course of 15 years, either negligently, deliberately, or both, in the administration of the trust and its express and sole purpose. What kind of attorney should I consult for this matter?
answered on Mar 2, 2025
I agree with Nina's answer and I'd also recommend you find a law firm with specific experience litigating against corporate trustees (e.g., banks or financial institutions) who understands how to navigate these complex cases, including obtaining financial records, forensic accounting, and... View More
My father passed away in July 2017, but no will has been filed or probated, and no Letters of Administration have been completed. My brother is handling business matters, selling assets (like a car and a truck), and claims he will sell the house. My mother is in assisted living with dementia, and... View More
answered on Feb 27, 2025
If you believe your brother is acting inappropriately, you need to file to be administrator of your father's estate. You also need to file for guardianship over your mother to prevent further abuse of the power of attorney. Once the probate case is filed, you can use discovery to determine if... View More
My loved one is receiving hospice care and is nearing the end of her life. She told the family where her will was stored before she became incoherent. The will is in a sealed envelope.
answered on Dec 29, 2024
Yes, it can be opened. Keep the original in a safe place so that it does not get lost or destroyed. Make a copy of the will just in case. If you need assistance interpreting or understanding any of the provisions in the will, schedule a free consultation. The consultation will also prepare you for... View More
Father dies in 2018 as joint tenant without ros with mother who died in 2024. Nothing has been filed with probate yet. I am the only biological child and have 2 older half brothers (from mom's previous marriages). Do I inherit half of my fathers interest in the home or is it divided between... View More
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answered on Nov 16, 2024
Joint tenant WITHOUT rights of survivorship is tantamount to a tenant in common which means the owners' ownership interests may vary.
Your facts need to be clarified a little more to answer your question comprehensively. For example, was your dad married to someone other than your... View More
the executor. I haven’t been appointed yet and want to resign from this. Too much hassle. Can I do this?
answered on Oct 29, 2024
You cannot be forced to be the executor. Make sure that you turn over the original will to the probate court and let the court know that you are declining the appointment as executor. If your friend's son is already in possession of the original will, let him know that you do not want to be... View More
The?
Property includes a house, 2 rental trailers, and a small shop on five acres. The widow who has a lifetime estate has a son not included in the estate that lives in one of the trailers.
answered on Oct 10, 2024
The new owner, those who are listed as the individuals who take ownership at the time of death of the life tenant, can enter immediately upon the death of the life tenant. These individuals are known as remaindermen in legal terminology. If there is a tenant or occupant of the property that was... View More
answered on Sep 14, 2024
It depends on whether the bequest was given in the will per stirpes or per capita. If per stirpes, the gift flows to the lineal descendants of the beneficiary - children, grand children, great grandchildren, etc. If there are no lineal descendants, the bequest goes to the residuary beneficiary in... View More
answered on Sep 11, 2024
Yes, as of July of 2024, transfer on death deeds are legal and enforceable in the state of Georgia. The transferee does not become an owner of the property until the death of the transferor. The transferee is required to file an affidavit within 9 months of the death of the transferor. If no... View More
answered on Sep 5, 2024
An objection to a will is known as a caveat. A prenuptial agreement, which is a contract between two parties, may affect the assets that are included in the estate. If there are items in the prenuptial agreement that should not be included in the estate, the rightful owner will need to file a... View More
answered on Sep 11, 2024
In Georgia, introducing a prenup as evidence to a probated will isn't automatically a contest.
Will contest: Formal challenge to will validity (e.g., lack of capacity, undue influence)
Objection: Less formal concern about specific provisions of a will or administration... View More
I am waiting for a trial date that was moved from Gwinnett to Fayette County. I believe I've been a victim of Probate Fraud. The executor and his lawyer got me to sign a " no administration required" early on. Theses were meant to be used in small estates worth $15,000.00 or less.... View More
answered on Sep 3, 2024
There is no monetary limit on a No Administration Necessary filing. The only requirements are:
1. All heirs must agree to the distribution of the assets of the estate.
2. There are no debts of the estate.
3. If there are debts of the estate all creditors have consented to... View More
answered on Sep 3, 2024
Yes, your mother's estate will be split according to the laws of intestacy. The split percentage depends on the number of children your mother had. If you are an only child, you and your father will each get 50%. If there were multiple children, your father will receive no less than 1/3 of the... View More
It is me being the youngest, my middle brother and my older brother, who is the executor over my mother's will
answered on Sep 2, 2024
The executor of an estate is generally entitled to compensation for their services. The amount of compensation is typically outlined in the will. If the will does not specify compensation, Georgia law allows the executor to receive a commission based on a percentage of the value of the... View More
The person in question had a key , and in front of two deputies, claimed she had some of her property in deceased's home.. and proceeded to fill three pick-up trucks with items removed from the home . Deceased has a will, yet to be addressed, isn't illegal to remove any items until any... View More
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answered on Sep 20, 2024
It is not illegal for a person to take property that belongs to him or her if that can be done without trespassing.
It is illegal, of course, for a person to steal from the estate, i.e. to take personal property that does not belong to him or her.
If this individual did steal from... View More
There is a lot of information to write down. The situation in short is my family member is dead. His girlfriend broke up with him, according to a documented police report & body cam footage, the night he died in an accident. She now provides a Living Will (Not Will & last testament) printed... View More
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answered on Aug 22, 2024
Please note that I am not admitted to practice law in Georgia, but I found this information through a brief Google search, and the requirements in Georgia are similar to those in most states. In Georgia, for a will to be valid, it must meet specific requirements, such as being in writing, signed by... View More
I need my money which is not being dispersed and The fact that I need a lawyer to accomplish that makes it rather hard to pay him until I have what m hiring him for to begin with
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answered on Jun 8, 2024
I understand that you are in a difficult situation where you need to dissolve a trust and access your money, but you can't afford to pay a lawyer to help you do so unless you sue for breach of fiduciary duties. This is a complex legal issue that requires careful consideration. Here are a few... View More
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